Come Back to Nature in the Keys

Marine Biologists � You will study the Florida Keys Coral Reef Ecosystem which is the most biologically diverse marine ecosystem in the world and is made up of four main communities.  Each group biologist will be assigned one of the four communities.  Research the assigned community, using the provided resource links, keeping a detailed journal that includes pictorial information.  Use the following questions as a guide to your research and the writing of your journal entries. 

Marine Biologist 1- Research the Coral Reef Community
� What is a coral reef?
� What are the types of coral? Give examples.
� Where are they located?
� What are the types of coral reefs?
� What type of reef do you find in the Keys?
� Why are coral reefs important?
� What are the three most important nutritional sources of coral?

Marine Biologist 2 - Research Mangrove Forest Community
� What are mangroves?
� Where are they located?
� What types are common to the Keys?
� Why are they important to people?
� Why are they important to marine life and other animals?

Marine Biologist 3 - Research the Seagrass Bed Community
� What are seagrasses?
� Where are they located?
� Why are they important natural resources?
� How many seagrass varieties exist worldwide?
� How many and what types are native to the Keys?

Marine Biologist 4 - Research Hammock Forest and Pinelands Community
� What is a hammock forest?
� What are Pinelands?
� Where are they located?
� Do they still exist?
� What is their importance to the ecosystem?